Photographer Captures Tender Moment Between Man And His Sick Dog In Lake Superior
Quote:They say a dog is a man's best friend, but to John Unger, a Wisconsin resident, his dog, Schoep, means everything.
Unger adopted Schoep, named after the famous Wisconsin ice cream, when he was just a puppy, and the two have been together ever since. Now, at 19 years old, Schoep has arthritis and has trouble sleeping, the Pioneer Press reports. Unger found that water is therapeutic for his pained buddy, so he takes Schoep into Lake Superior and lulls him to sleep.
Photographer Hannah Stonehouse Hudson, owner of Stonehouse Photography and a friend of Unger's, decided to capture the relationship between the man and his dog down by the water.
My grandparents owned a cabin in Brimley near Sault Ste Marie and I'll tell you this, Lake Superior is not a warm lake.
Average water temp is around 40. In the summer it will get in the 60's. This year it is a little warmer than usual.
Nice story and at 19 he has had a full life with someone that cares allot for him.
There was an addition to the story that said he considered suicide when his fiancee left him, but his dog, in a way many of us can understand, pulled him through, and he feels he owes his life to his dog. What a great guy!
So here is a question...does he owe it to the dog to just put him down? The dog is obviously in a ton of pain if he can't even sleep.
(08-09-2012 10:29 PM)uofmcamaro Wrote: [ -> ]So here is a question...does he owe it to the dog to just put him down? The dog is obviously in a ton of pain if he can't even sleep.
Tough call for most people. I, for one, never let my dogs suffer, so I would. It is a very personal and hard decision to make.
I agree. My little guy means a ton to me. Selfishly I want to keep him as well as I can to keep him around but at the same time I know that eventually it isn't worth the suffering for him.
how neat - thanks for sharing MI
People have been donating so the dog can have laser treatments. I have never heard of that for arthritis, but I hope it will help him.
When to end an animal's life, and suffering, is one of the hardest decisions most of us will ever have to make.
(08-10-2012 06:35 PM)alterego2 Wrote: [ -> ]People have been donating so the dog can have laser treatments. I have never heard of that for arthritis, but I hope it will help him.
When to end an animal's life, and suffering, is one of the hardest decisions most of us will ever have to make.
Made it too many times. Never gets easier.....
Dogs have no concept of mortality. They live in the present and it is selfish to keep them in a miserable existence. However, making the right decision does not mean it is easy and I understand the reluctance to let it go.
If only they could talk and let us know when THEY are ready to go. To have the power of life and death in my hands over a completely trusting creature has always filled me with awe and dread. It has not as much to do with my missing them. Life seems so sacred to me. It is very precious to ME and so I assume to animals, too. Every instinct in a human and an animal fights for life. It is especially tough in an intelligent animal like a dog, and in any creature with which one has been intimately involved and shared emotion and communication.
Just thinking out loud.
We just made that tough decision Tuesday night with our 16 year old dog. It was incredibly hard to do, but he had gotten to where he couldn't really see, hear or walk and his breathing was very labored. Plus, he had a tumor on his spine. Good thing was he seemed not to know what was going on. He used to absolutely hate the vet's office, but this time it was like he was at home on the couch. Still, a very tough decision and one I had hoped we wouldn't have to make for him.
Sucks 88...sorry.
I always have been a "they are a dog" or "they are a cat" type person when it comes to feelings toward your animals but I just know I'll lose it with my little guy.
(08-16-2012 04:01 PM)memphis88 Wrote: [ -> ]We just made that tough decision Tuesday night with our 16 year old dog. It was incredibly hard to do, but he had gotten to where he couldn't really see, hear or walk and his breathing was very labored. Plus, he had a tumor on his spine. Good thing was he seemed not to know what was going on. He used to absolutely hate the vet's office, but this time it was like he was at home on the couch. Still, a very tough decision and one I had hoped we wouldn't have to make for him.
So sorry for your loss. 16 years old, that is a very long life for a dog and I am sure it was a great life. It is such a difficult decision and never gets easier, no matter how many times you have to make it. But it sounds like it was the right decision, you let him go to end his suffering. Again, I am really sorry.
I have always loved this poem, I hope you do too.
Quote:Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...
(08-16-2012 04:46 PM)uofmcamaro Wrote: [ -> ]Sucks 88...sorry.
I always have been a "they are a dog" or "they are a cat" type person when it comes to feelings toward your animals but I just know I'll lose it with my little guy.
They are not "just a dog" or "just a cat", they become a very big part of your family, of you. My sister was like that(or I always thought she was) until her 14 year old golden got sick and it was time. She called me from the vets office crying like a little girl who was about to lose her best friend, her furry child. She could not bare to be in the room with Emily, but she also could not bare the thought of Emily being alone. I held Emily as she peacefully crossed over. I love my sister, but that day I loved her even more. Enjoy every day you have with your little guy and try not to think about "the day". It'll be one of the hardest days, but right now focus on the present....you still have your baby. Love him now, worry about "that" later when you have to.
(08-10-2012 11:23 PM)alterego2 Wrote: [ -> ]If only they could talk and let us know when THEY are ready to go. To have the power of life and death in my hands over a completely trusting creature has always filled me with awe and dread. It has not as much to do with my missing them. Life seems so sacred to me. It is very precious to ME and so I assume to animals, too. Every instinct in a human and an animal fights for life. It is especially tough in an intelligent animal like a dog, and in any creature with which one has been intimately involved and shared emotion and communication.
Just thinking out loud.
They may not be able to talk, but I promise you they will let you know. I don't how, but you just know when it's time. You know your pet, you'll know when.
88 - I'm so sorry about this. It's very hard, very hard indeed. Don't be afraid to vent if need be.